By Fatma Pole
Statistics show that Illegal ivory trade has tripled since 1998. The UN estimates that more than 17,000 elephants were illegally killed in monitored sites in 2011 alone with the numbers fast rising in once secure regions like East Africa which are now under threat.In Kenya, we are losing more and more of our animals to poachers with each single day and the matter has become serious with strong measures being taken to curb the vice with more and more people are also joining the anti-poaching campaign.
Hot Secrets report that Cote d’Ivoire national football team star and captain of Manchester City FC, Yaya Toure and footballers at a World Cup qualifier match between Cote d’Ivoire and Morocco made a strong statement against the illegal killings of elephants in Africa during the past Saturday – in support of global efforts to stop the illegal trade in wildlife, championed by the United Nations and partners.
The game which was totally sold-out and was watched by over 25 million people around the world featured the players carrying slogans to raise awareness against the killings of elephants and other wildlife.
“Time is running out for African Elephants. The surge in the killing of elephants in Africa and the illegal trafficking in other threatened species will not only threaten the animals, but will affect the livelihoods of millions who depend on tourism for a living.” Yaya Toure said. The footballer continued to add that,
“Wildlife crime is a serious threat to the security, political stability, economy, natural resources and cultural heritage of many countries. We need to come together to take action against the illegal trade in wildlife across Africa and across the world,” More....